Alabama

Arkansas State linebacker LaAngelo Albright of Prattville celebrates the Red Wolves' 17-13 victory over Kent State in last season's GoDaddy Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Albright is one of 16 players from the state of Alabama on the Arkansas State roster this season. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)

But there's another reason as well. Its roster is filled
with players from the state of Alabama, including three from the Mobile area.
And they aren't just filling spots on the roster or the depth chart, they're
making key contributions to the Red Wolves' success.

Of the 16 players from the state listed on ASU's roster this
season, five are among the team's top seven in total tackles. The group also includes
the Red Wolves' leading receiver, leading punt returner and leading kickoff
returner - all in one player. The list also includes two first-team All-Sun
Belt Conference selections in linebacker Qushaun Lee and wide receiver J.D.
McKissic, though McKissic earned two spots as a wide receiver and all-purpose
player. There are also three second-team picks - defensive backs Rocky Hayes
and Sterling Young, as well as McKissic again as a kick returner. Defensive
lineman Chris Stone was an honorable mention selection.

The Alabama players on the roster, the most from any state
on the team with the exception of Arkansas, have helped lead the Red Wolves to
a third consecutive Sun Belt Conference championship, sharing the title with
Louisiana-Lafayette this season. Sunday, they will attempt to aid ASU's efforts
to defeat Ball State in the GoDaddy Bowl. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CST. The
game will be broadcast by ESPN.

WR MCKISSIC: He
is third in the nation in kickoff returns with a 30.0 average and 36th
in the nation in punt returns (8.4). He had a 98-yard kickoff return for a
touchdown against Idaho and is the team's leading receiver with 73 catches for
590 yards and four scores. He has produced 1,472 all-purpose yards that
includes 16 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown.

LB LEE: He leads
the team in tackles with 119 total stops with six tackles for a loss, three
pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.

DE STONE: Holds
the team lead in tackles for a loss (9.5) which ranks 10th in the Sun
Belt. He is tied for sixth on the team in total tackles (42) and also has three
sacks, three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.

DB YOUNG: The
team's No. 3 tackler (70), he also has one tackle for a loss, two
interceptions, two pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

DB HAYES: Tied
for No. 6 tackler on the team (42) he also has three interceptions, 10 pass
breakups, one quarterback hurry and two tackles for a loss.

DB HUMES: The team's
No. 4 tackler (50), he has also collected 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, two
pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

DB HART: Playing
in four of the team's 12 games, he has made one tackle.

DL DRAPER: He has
19 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, one interception, one pass breakup,
two quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.

DL BLACKMON: He
ranks 11th on the team in total tackles (30) and also has six
tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup, two quarterback hurries and
one forced fumble.

LB ALBRIGHT: He
has played in all 12 games, collecting seven tackles and a pass breakup.

LB WOODSON: He ranks
No. 15 on the team in total tackles (22), while also contributing one pass
breakup in 10 games played.

WR MCCANTS: The
senior has made one catch this season for 12 yards.

OL STEVENS: He
moved from the defensive line last season to the offensive line this year and
has played sparingly in a backup role.

WR LEE, DB ADAMS, WR
PASCHAL: All three players are redshirt freshmen this season who are
expected to play key roles in the future for the Red Wolves.